Cabinet nod for agreement with Saudi Arabia on workers

The Union Cabinet today approved signing of an agreement with Saudi Arabia to address the problems being faced by around six lakh Indians employed as domestic workers in the Gulf nation.
Officials in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs said under the provision of the agreement, employers in Saudi Arabia will have to clearly inform Indian authorities about terms and condition of the contract as well as working environment.
"The agreement is aimed at ensuring better working environment for the domestic service workers," they said.
The agreement will also facilitate resolution of various disputes involving Indian workers by Saudi authorities.

"In-principle approval has been accorded (for the pact)," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said after the Union Cabinet meeting.
The officials said the pact will be the first step towards finalising a broader pact to protect interests of around 28 lakh Indians working in the country.
India and Saudi Arabia in April had agreed to set up a joint working group to address "all immediate problems" facing the Indian community including issues related to overstaying of Indian workers and the Kingdom's new labour law 'Nitaqat'.